What role did witchcraft trials play in suppressing psychic practices?

Witchcraft trials during the late medieval and early modern periods severely impacted the development and expression of psychic practices. People believed to possess spiritual or mystical abilities were often accused of sorcery or heresy.

This led to fear, persecution, and suppression of intuitive and spiritual gifts, particularly among women, many of whom were midwives, herbalists, or seers.

🔥 Fear & Control

Authorities used witch hunts to enforce religious orthodoxy and control unorthodox beliefs.

🔍 Targeting Intuition

Those claiming to have visions or psychic insight were seen as threats to institutional power.

🕯 Cultural Repression

Oral traditions and folk divination were driven underground during these eras of fear.

📚 Lasting Effects

The trials left a legacy of stigma around spiritual sensitivity that lingers to this day.